Lakehead University Votes to Ban Smoking on Campus

(April 1, 2004. Thunder Bay, ON.) The campus community at Lakehead University has spoken. In a huge turnout of voters (46%), the University voted 68% in favour of a smoking ban, versus 32% against a ban. This means that smoking in all University buildings, including Residences, and outside on all University grounds and property will not be allowed. The ban will be effective July 1, 2004.

Lakehead University is the first university in Canada to have put on-campus smoking to a vote. The Yes vote makes Lakehead the first university in a non-urban setting to ban smoking on campus.

Voting was conducted online from March 25 to March 31. Around 90% of faculty and staff voted, compared with 37% of students.

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Contact: Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications: 807. 343-8372